Category: General Care

How do dogs know that you are coming home?

My dog Xena, a Miniature Pinscher, always knows when my daughter’s school van is going to come. She nudges my little girl to get her bag and walks her to the van. Xena also wakes up from her afternoon nap and settles near the gate knowing the right time the school van comes to receive her!

We all know that dogs have special abilities and knowing when their owners are coming home is one of them. In fact, surveys done on 45 percent of dog owners in England and California have noticed the ability of dogs knowing their owner’s arrival 5 minutes before they reach home. But how do dogs know when their owners are coming home?

The vehicle’s make and model

Dogs have a wonderful sense of hearing and smell. They will know the sound that your car or bike makes. So, they hear you approach the house, stop your vehicle and open the door to enter your home. Hence, through associative learning they will learn to club the events and know of your arrival. This is how dogs are able to predict their owner’s arrival 5 or 10 minutes in advance.

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety will know exactly when their owners are due to leave their home and start to get nervous as soon as they see them getting ready.

The amazing sniffer

Dogs have a strong sense of smell so it is not really surprising that they can smell their owners as they are coming home. Dogs know the smell of their owners very well. Their scent lingers long after they leave home and gradually diminishes over the course of the day only to return back strongly when they arrive home. So, dogs learn to associate their owner’s arrival through their strong sense of smell.

Others reaction

As we know that dogs pick cues from the environment so it does not come as a complete surprise to know that they can pick up pre-arrival signs by noticing the changes in people around them. So, if your spouse is due home anytime you will be making a nice cup of tea for them along with getting dinner ready. Dogs are always watching things around them so if he notices you doing these things they will know that its time for your spouse to come home.

Perception of time

Dogs will not be able to tell the time by looking at the clock but they are very attuned to their inner biological clock. If you come home always at the same time, your dog will depend on their circadian rhythm to predict when you are going to coming home.

Psychic or telepathic powers

Lastly, some things cannot be explained by science and involves philosophy and spirituality. Dogs do have psychic powers or the sixth sense according to a research conducted by Rupert Sheldrake and Pamela Smart. Rupert Sheldrake, a British author and biologist, stated that there is a strong connection between humans and animals that go beyond scientific understanding.

Since a dog is a man’s best friend it’s nice to know that you always have a four-legged buddy waiting for you to come back home to them!

April 30, 2019
Why do male dogs hump other male dogs?

It is very common to see dogs engaging in humping behaviour when they are introduced to other dogs. Both male and female dogs that are neutered or intact hump anything that is close to them. It can be other dogs, objects or even human arms and legs. So, unless your pet is specifically trained they will continue the habit.

Why do they hump a dog of the same sex?

Unlike humans, dogs do not discriminate and are not choosy. Male dogs hump other males and so do females with other females. Human behaviour in terms of relationships, are formed in the basis of moral values and ethics even fidelity. A dog’s needs are more basic. They hump other dogs be it the same sex or opposite to stimulate their senses and for immediate gratification.

Puppies hump for pleasure

Mounting and humping behaviour in dogs begin at the puppy stage itself around six weeks after the whelping period. As soon as they begin to move on their tiny legs they will start humping each other. But they do it as a way of socialising with their siblings. Once they reach the age of sexual maturity at around 6 months and 1 year of age is when their humping behaviour will be strongly laced with sexual need.

Both male and female dogs, intact and fixed, tend to masturbate. Once a puppy learns to stimulate their sexual organs, which gives them a pleasurable feeling, it can become a habit. Dog masturbation can be noticed in the form of excessive licking at their genital region and in mounting or humping behaviours. So, training must begin at an early stage to curb this habit of self-gratification.

Why do neutered dogs hump?

Spaying and neutering a dog will curb their sex drive making them less aggressive and territorial but it does not remove the joy of stimulation. Male dogs that hump even after they are being neutered may be trying to assert their dominance in their social hierarchy. Neutered male dogs can hump dogs of the same sex or the opposite which can be controlled through training, attention or distraction.

Dogs may result in humping behaviour as a result of stress and anxiety

Dogs bark, howl, yelp or dig up the house when they are stressed. If they are not trained that humping behaviour is an unacceptable response, it can become an easy way of stress relief. If you have a single dog at home and find that your male dog humps other male dogs they come in contact with, either on the road or at the park, then it is just their way of dealing with anxiety when they establish contact with other dogs. It can lead to an unwanted and very often an awkward issue if it leads to fights and display of aggression.

If you want your dog to stop humping objects in your home then you must train them not to do so. So, find out if they have enough toys to play with and ensure they get enough exercise every day. Distraction and redirection strategies must be used if their humping behaviour gets rather excessive. You can play a game of tug of war or catch and fetch the moment they begin to hump. It will distract them and you can reward them for stopping.

Medical problems can cause humping behaviours

If your dog shows excessive humping behaviour along with licking their erogenous zones it can be a sign of health problems. A dog that is humping repeatedly can be suffering from allergies or urinary tract infection. Male dogs in particular that are suffering from urinary problem can resort to seek relief from their condition by humping.

So, if you notice such signs in your pet then you must take them to the vet to have them professionally checked.

The final verdict – male dog humping if not excessive is normal

The sexual act that promotes reproduction is a gift of nature. Your dog is not homosexual. That is a concept that is designated only to the human world. A number of species that includes dogs do indulge in same sex behaviours that have nothing to do with procreation.

So, if you notice your male dog humping objects or other male dogs occasionally then it’s ok. That’s normal. If you notice it early then through effective training you can control their humping behaviour from turning into a destructive problem. If you notice humping behaviour in your senior pet then you must take them to the vet as they could be suffering from a health condition.

June 7, 2018
Artificial preservatives in your pet’s food inflict more harm than you ever imagined

We are living in a world where packaged food is becoming more of a rule than an exception. Any food – be it for humans or their furred buddies – that comes packaged needs to be preserved to amplify its shelf life. The desired end is achieved through the means of preservatives, natural and otherwise.

Pet food preservatives can be slotted into two broad categories: antimicrobials that restrict proliferation of bacteria, moulds, fungi or yeasts; and antioxidants that apply brakes on the oxidation of fats and lipids that result in rancidity. In preservatives, there are both natural and artificial. The latter is the bone of contention now.

Artificial or synthetic preservatives used to be the norm in the pet food sector till quite recently among various dry pet food variants. The reason? It’s less expensive, ensures higher shelf life and considered more fail-safe when contrasted against natural ones. That said, synthetic preservatives are completely avoidable if your pet’s long-term health and balanced nutrition are of paramount importance to you as a parent. You would do better not exposing your beloved buddy to potentially toxic chemicals, which are capable of causing irreversible damage to their health and well-being.

Many of the dry dog food variants contain several artificial preservatives, including butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), propyl gallate, and ethoxyquin.

Ingestion of large amounts of ethoxyquin leads to several health problems in pets, warn studies. A study undertaken by the University of Hamburg concluded that “all published findings agree with the fact that BHA and BHT are tumour promoters”. The Department of Health and Human Studies in the US found that “BHA consistently produces tumours in both rats and fish”. Pets and humans can’t be far behind.

Pet food manufacturers, however, are slowly turning to natural preservatives, such as tocopherols (vitamin E), citric acid (vitamin C), and rosemary extract. TailsLife’s Furresh and D WoofPack are preserved following the best practices in the industry, to keep the freshness of the feed intact and your pets happily satiated.

December 1, 2017
Read the label carefully before you pick that pet food

Unspecified cancer, mysterious heart ailments, inexplicable liver and kidney failure. These were identified as the most common conditions that afflicted dogs – many a time fatally – in the United Kingdom in an extensive survey undertaken in 2014. Shockingly, the survey pointed to a drastic dip of 11 per cent in the country’s dog’s expected lifespan over the previous decade.

Lo and behold, the survey was only about pedigree dogs. An astounding sample set of 48,891 dogs. Their average life span was just 10 years. A sharp one-year decline in their life expectancy over a period of a mere 10 years. So, what went awry in the intervening period?

Well, there were so many aspects attributed to the alarming phenomenon. Pet food figured prominently on the list. Now, take for instance, there are not many countries that regulate pet food supplies like the United States does. Nutritional facts and ingredient information printed on pet food packages in the U.S. are far more real than the ones sold in most other countries. Are we missing something here?

The U.S. Federal Government proposed that the Pet Food Institute researches, develops and proposes improved pet food labels, including a ‘Nutritional Facts’ box, presumably by liaising with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The country could naturally maintain the life expectancy figures of its dogs better than most of its neighbours.

As you and I know, there are innumerable pet food manufacturers in every country and regulations abound. But how many of them strictly adhere to the ingredient guidelines laid out by the authority concerned? It is the consumer that ends up buying low-quality products made from the cheapest and unhealthy ingredients without adequate nutritional information in the product packaging.

There are so many pet food variants available in the Indian market today – as in other geographies – with inappropriate ingredients like wheat, gluten, corn, grain, substandard protein, prohibited preservatives, colourants and additives. These can take a heavy toll on the health and well-being of our pets. There are cases wherein there is absolutely no nutrition assured for pets by these foods.

Thus it becomes all the more important for you to read the pet food packaging labels thoroughly and get to know whether they have used wholesome ingredients and permissible additives. Do your basic research, then read ingredient labels, seek out independent ratings and reviews, before buying any pet food.

Your dog’s day will then be made.

November 30, 2017
Human-grade meal vs processed food: Is your pet getting a raw deal?

Rewind 50 years from now. You might be able to conjure up a world which was more serene, organic and less adulterated than our current abode. Our food habits have also drastically evolved – or should we say: degenerated? – over the past centuries.

We used to be a race that was devouring raw, real meat and natural plant produce until The Stone Age. But the last century had us leaning towards highly processed meal variants that put our health under risk. Just in time, humans seem to have realised their folly and are making a detour to real, fresh food over the past few years.

Much like their human counterparts, dogs were consuming fresh – even human-grade – food until the 1800s. Then came the need to domesticate them for various purposes, which restricted their access to raw meat and natural food. It was then the pet food industry shifted focus towards dog cakes, biscuits and crackers to canned meat, as shelf-stable products started flooding the market.

And then, there was kibble. Pet food manufacturers employ a method called extrusion to make kibble, as it ensures flexibility, density control and better pasteurisation. This process optimises the product’s shelf-life, but at the same time heavily compromises the nutritional value of the meal and poses potential health risks.

One can trace back the origin of kibbles to the Great Depression in the United States between the late ‘20s to the late ‘30s, bookended by the Second World War. It was a time of despair, and meat was dear. The strife-torn period was ripe for kibbles owing its convenience, ease of distribution and low cost. Kibbles business, however, continued to thrive much after the war was over. But why, is anyone’s guess: it was highly commercialised and became the norm, despite its ill-effects.

A Belgian research project undertaken by Dr Gérard Lippert and Bruno Sapy collected data from around 500 domestic dogs between 1998 and 2002. The study statistically concluded that dogs eating a homemade diet, consisting of human-grade ingredients, had a life expectancy of 32 months longer than dogs that were fed an industrial, commercial pet food diet.

What’s your choice?

November 29, 2017
What’s in a pet’s name? ‘Your lifetime bonding, well-being and, hmm, a bit more …’

Bruno. Charlie. Daisy. MJ. Pluto. Rocky. Tom. Zoey.

Just throwing up some random pet names. Come to think of it, haven’t you named your pet with what popped up in your mind that very moment? Any idea whether your name is in perfect harmony with that of your dog or cat? If you are thinking WTF!, its time you pondered it over again.

“Every pet parent names her/his dog or cat based on some emotional connect or a favourite fictional – novel, cartoon or movie – character they adore. They don’t have other considerations while they name their pets. But then, no one can deny the fact that there is a constant transmission of energy between living beings – right from humans to dogs, birds and insects,” says Dr Sunil S Harlalkaa, a Mumbai-based vaastu and holistic energy consultant.

The numerology proponent specialises, among other aspects, in naming pets. No kidding! “The idea is to harmonise the energy between a pet parent and the pet. While it’s not easy to find out the date and time of birth of every pet, it isn’t that difficult to get the birth details of its master,” explains Dr Harlalkaa, “So, we go by your date and time of birth while suggesting names that are best harmonised for your pet and you.”

Let’s say that you are interesting in naming or renaming your pet. You just write in to the holistic energy consultant with their existing names and photos, apart from your birth details. He would then employ a device, called the Lecher Antenna, developed by an Austrian physicist to detect subtle energies through wavelengths. “With the analytical results, we can correlate both the data and arrive at a suitable name for your pet,” claims Dr Harlalkaa.

The consultant forewarns that when people are keen to name even the kennels, it’s important to get it right. “In astrology, some people aren’t supposed to raise certain pets; not even some colours. There are incidents that pets get injured randomly.” He alludes it to the energy in their living environment that causes it.

Ultimately, naming your pets based on your energy might, in Dr Harlalkaa’s words, determine the life and relationship you share with your pet.

November 28, 2017
Essential nutrients that your dog can’t miss out on

As is the case with humans, dogs also need a well-balanced diet to grow normally and lead a healthy life. There are certain essential nutrients that they need in their daily meal. It could be from your kitchen or the pet food you purchase off store shelves. The idea is to ensure that what your furred buddy eats comprises every nutritional value needed for her / him to stay fit, energetic and with high metabolism.

Proteins

Proteins are highly essential for dogs as they help generate strong muscles and repair body tissues. The amino acids found in proteins build cells, tissues and organs, and produce enzymes, hormones and antibodies. Proteins are rich in animal-based meats such as chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, fish and eggs and in vegetables, cereals and soy.

Fats

There is a misconception that fat is not good for pets, but dogs would do better by consuming certain fatty acids. So much so, fats are the most concentrated form of food energy, nourishing your pet with more than twice the energy of proteins or carbohydrates.

Fats play a major role in defining the structure of cells, which are necessary for the secretion of hormones, and for assimilation and utilisation of certain vitamins. Fats also provide insulation and protection for internal organs. Coconut oil and eggs are good sources of fat.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a source of energy and also help maintain intestinal health. They also significantly contribute to the reproduction process. While there is no minimum carbohydrate requirement, there is a minimum glucose requirement necessary to supply energy to critical organs, such as the brain. Brown rice is a good alternative to white rice in providing healthy carbs to your pet.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins, however minimal they are, ensure normal metabolic functioning of a dog’s system. Another important point to note is that since most vitamins are not synthesised in the body, the diet has to provide it.

Minerals are also like vitamins that cannot be synthesised by animals. Minerals are the building blocks of strong bones and teeth, apart from maintaining fluid balance and for their role in standardising several metabolic reactions. Vegetables like carrot and beans, and meat offer your dog high vitamin and mineral content.

Water

Water contributes to 60 to 70 per cent of an adult pet’s body weight, very similar to their human counterparts. In the case of dry food, there is around 10 per cent moisture and canned food offers nearly 78 per cent.

Furresh blends all these nutrients in the right proportion and offers much more to your pet in every pack.

November 27, 2017
Season’s greetings: Let the light shine… sans the loud explosion

Kaboom! A-bombs being set off is hardly music to the ears of humanity. The same logic applies to pets when it comes to firecrackers. They get horrified, traumatised and even physically hurt at myriad instances when we humans typically ‘celebrate’ festive occasions with explosive fireworks.

Let’s see how and why.

Dogs, by nature’s design, have acutely sensitive hearing ability and they get frightened not only by an explosion. Any source that emanates loud noises, such as the vacuum cleaner, hard rock blaring out of loudspeakers, guns, motorcycles and thunder, can scare the daylights out of them.

While the audio frequency range of humans is between 12 Hz and 20 kHz, their tailed counterparts can hear in frequencies ranging from approximately 40 Hz to 60 kHz. So, dogs’ hearing bandwidth is over twice as much as humans and they can hear sound up to four times farther than us humans. A little firecracker at our frontyard literally means an earth-shattering nuclear bomb effect to our pets.

Humans’ normal conversational range is around 60 decibels (dB) and a mere 25-point spike is good enough to cause irreversible damage to our ear drum, including tinnitus and hearing loss. The explosion of a firework can emit sounds of up to 190 dB (contrastingly, gunshot stands at 140 dB). Now, just imagine the plight of your pets which are bound to hear a much more amplified sound.

Let’s celebrate our festivals with cheers and lights. Less noise and pollution will only make the occasion better for our pets. As well as us.

November 26, 2017
How to protect your dog from fleas and ticks at the park?
Parks are a great place for your furry buddy to catch their daily dose of fresh air, to exercise and to meet new friends. Unfortunately, your friendly neighbourhood dog park also plays host to a widespread buffet of parasites like fleas and ticks. So, it makes perfect sense to practice some precautionary measures to protect your canine friend from catching those pesky bugs from the park!

Flea prevention at the park

Not many people are conscientious as they will bring a flea infested pet to parks therefore making other dogs prone to getting it from them. Also, parks are one of the most popular places for your pet to get inflicted with fleas as a lot of dogs visit the place making it a hot spot for a wide variety of fleas. So, here are a few prevention tips you may want to follow when you take your pet to the park:
- Before you take your pet to the park it is a good idea for you to search the place for fleas that can be hiding in areas such as high grasses or debris. If you do then it is better to avoid that place.
- Ensure your dog wears a flea collar at the park.
- After the visit to the park and before you bring them home you should check your dog completely for fleas.
- If you find fleas in your dog, then keep them outside till you give them a bath or hit a flea spray.
Tick prevention at the park

Ticks are bothersome creatures that are commonly found in dog parks. They do not cause as much trouble as fleas as they do not enter your home as easily but if they are left untreated they can cause serious health problems to your pet. Ticks can cause Lyme disease to dogs. So, to prevent your pet from tick infestation follow these precautionary measures:
- Scout the park for areas that are damp and shady places that have heaps of plant debris. Stay away from it. Ensure that the grass has been trimmed short before allowing your dog to play.
- Make your dog wear a tick collar at the park.
- Examine your dog carefully for ticks before bringing them inside your home.
- If you notice the presence of ticks in your pet, then remove and kill them. Also watch out for signs of Lyme disease at the infected area.
Once you follow the above tips you can easily protect your pet from getting afflicted with fleas and ticks at the park. However, you can always contact your vet for their professional advice.

Happy Parenting!

http://www.tailslife.com
November 20, 2017
How to stop your dog from itching after flea bites?
Fleas are pesky parasites that are found in dogs and causes them an awful urge to itch and scratch. Once a particular area is infected with repeated scratching it opens way for infections which left untreated can turn fatal. Unfortunately, these bothersome creatures are also capable of changing their hosts too and can bite humans too as a result.

To soothe your dog’s itchy skin form flea bites, it is necessary that you consider the following remedies that will cause great relief from itchy skin and the constant scratching.
- Firstly, you must bathe your pet in warm water. If you find an open sore then do not use a strong shampoo. Instead bathe them in a homemade shampoo made from powdered oatmeal. All you need to do is grind oatmeal in the blender into a powdered form and mix it with water and smear it on your pet’s coat. Let it stay for 15 minutes and then rinse with water. Oatmeal works beautifully as it naturally soothes inflammation as well as moisturises your pet’s skin.
- Grooming your pet with a flea comb helps to remove fleas as well as keeps their coat clean and shiny. But if you notice open wounds then you can apply some soothing gel or cream that helps to relieve itchiness.
- You can also apply ice to the affected area to soothe their skin.
- Aloe Vera gel applied to your pet’s coat can prevent redness and itching.
- Applying Apple Cider Vinegar also helps in eliminating fleas as well as stops the itching. Dilute it in water and use it as an after-shampoo rinse to keep your pet’s coat shiny and to soothe itchy skin.
It is a good idea to consult your vet on effective flea control measure for your pet to prevent further infestation of fleas in their body.
November 17, 2017